Mint is a wonderful herb for its benefits and knowledge of its most important types

 

Mint is one of the most famous herbal plants in the world that belongs to the family Lamiaceae, and it is used in the preparation of a large number of food dishes and drinks, whether fresh or dried. Peppermint adds good flavor to food when used in the cooking process, especially when you want to reduce the amount of sodium and sugar added to these foods. Peppermint oil is also commonly used in making toothpastes, chewing gum, candy, and some cosmetics.

The mint plant is found in nature in many types, as the number of its types reaches about 600, differing in flavor, and some types of mint can be similar in flavor, and each of the peppermint is considered; Its scientific name is Mentha piperata, and the spearmint with the scientific name Mentha spicata is one of the most famous mints known for thousands of years.

The most important types of mint:

- Baladi mint :It is average in its growth and the height of the plants reaches about 50 cm.It is distinguished by its green leaves, which are seated heart-shaped or rectangular with a serrated edge, have a calm smell and contain a high percentage of carvon. The flowers of this type are very small with a purple color.

- Peppermint :The height of the plants of this type of mint is about 60 cm. It is strong in growth. The leaves are dark green with stems and hearts, or rectangular in shape with a serrated edge with a pointed tip on which a high percentage of menthol is exported abroad. As for the flowers, they are blue-purple.

- Japanese mint :the vegetative parts are covered with light fluff. Japanese mint is the longest species and is also distinguished by the abundance of branches. The leaves are rectangular with a weak base, large in size, serrated, give a high percentage of oil, and have a high percentage of menthol.

-  Lemon mint :the height of the plants reaches about 40 cm. The leaves are heart-shaped, with a petiole that smells like lemon, and the flowers are red-purple.

                          

-Treating many digestive problems 

• Where it has been proven that mint increases the secretion and activity of the salivary glands and digestive enzymes, which helps the digestive system in the digestive process, and helps in treating cases of indigestion.
• Mint is considered an aperitif, which is why it is known as an appetizer and used in many cooking dishes.
• It has been proven that it has a role in treating irritable bowel syndrome in both children and adults and relieving its symptoms.
• Among the benefits of peppermint is that it soothes colic and calms stomach cramps, helps overcome acidity and relieves flatulence.
• Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.
• It works to promote oral health, fight bad breath and refresh the breath.
• Peppermint fights the bacteria responsible for tooth decay, which is why it is used in pastes and mouthwashes.
• Helps fight infection by mouth.

-Treatment of respiratory disorders

• Peppermint leaves help relieve congestion in the nose, throat, bronchi and lungs, and speed up the healing process, especially in colds and flu.
• Several studies have found benefits of mint in treating tuberculosis.
• It has curative properties that help relieve asthma symptoms . Peppermint has a very strong smell that helps open the airways and relaxes the breath, and for this it is included in the inhaler industry.
• Helps relieve cough and expel phlegm.
• It has anti-inflammatory properties as well as helps fight bacteria and relieve all respiratory infections.

 

- Pain reliever 

• Helps relieve aches and pains, especially stomach, muscle and headaches.
• Calms nerves and helps relax.
• Helps relieve menstrual pain .

- Fight against cancer

Some research has found the fact that some of the enzymes present in mint help prevent and treat cancer, especially prostate, skin and lung cancer.

- Depression

Among the benefits of mint is its scent that helps to relax the body, calm the mind, rid it of stress, and encourage its secretion of what is known as the happiness hormone "serotonin", and thus it can treat depression and fatigue and banish anxiety and tension.

- Low blood pressure

Peppermint leaves contain a good amount of potassium, which helps relax blood vessels and maintain fluid balance in the body, thus reducing blood pressure and regulating the pulse rate.

- Treating nausea

If you suffer from travel nausea, just by smelling fresh mint leaves will help you avoid this problem, and it may also help those suffering from nausea caused by chemotherapy.

And it has been proven that it actually helps pregnant women overcome  morning sickness by activating the enzymes necessary for the digestive process.

Eating a few leaves or inhaling the scent of mint leaves every morning is a great way for mothers to get through this difficult period.

- Improve memory

Several studies have found that inhaling the strong scent of peppermint helps improve memory and cognitive function and increase alertness.

- Enhances immunity and strengthens it

Peppermint leaves contain several nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, vitamin C D E, and small amounts of the B complex.

And all these compounds help to strengthen and improve the immune system in the body, and prevent many infections and diseases.

- Weight loss 

And since, as we mentioned earlier, mint is a stimulus for digestive enzymes, which help in absorbing nutrients from food and consuming fats and converting them into usable energy.

Thus, peppermint may somehow help stimulate the burning of fats in the body better and faster and thus aid in weight loss